A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

Every time I tell a mate I’m doing a story on cryptocurrency, they invariably ask me the same two questions: should they invest their own hard-earned money, and which cryptocurrency will get them a Lamborghini/yacht/island quickest?

Not everybody's lovin' McVatican

A battle is being waged near St Peters Square following the construction of a McDonald's fast food restaurant.

The franchise opened late last year and has been jam-packed with locals and tourists but not everyone has welcomed the golden arches.

Marco Ramadori from consumer group Codacons is involved in a court battle to have the store shut down.

"In July, they will decide," he said. "We think it's right they close because they are violating Italian laws."

He said fast food is forbidden in and around the Vatican according to local law.

But there are also concerns about the motivations of the Catholic Church.

McDonald's is reportedly renting the space from the Vatican for around $32,000 a month. Many believe the space could have been used for more charitable ventures, particularly given the high concentration of homeless people in the area.